Merry Christmas. A Beautiful Gift

[Webwanderer]

Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD2VuX7ZJzc

Webwanderer

[kiki]

That was great, web wanderer. Thanks.

[dijmart]

Nice, Merry Christmas!

[turiya]

[rachMiel]

Merry, everyone! Such a nice group you are, we are ... a blessing.

[NuanceOfSuchness]

Oh, the moment has passed. Beautiful video. I particularly like how it was filmed amidst the stench and haze of trance-like consumers seeking that which does not exist.

[Webwanderer]

Oh, the moment has passed. Beautiful video. I particularly like how it was filmed amidst the stench and haze of trance-like consumers seeking that which does not exist.

Stench? That's pretty strong. How does that perspective serve you - or the season? What does exist in those shoppers is a desire to express a little love through the gifts they offer to family and friends. Is it that much different for those that gave through their participation in the flash mob in which you recognized the beauty?

WW

[NuanceOfSuchness]

Oh, the moment has passed. Beautiful video. I particularly like how it was filmed amidst the stench and haze of trance-like consumers seeking that which does not exist.

Stench? That's pretty strong. How does that perspective serve you - or the season? What does exist in those shoppers is a desire to express a little love through the gifts they offer to family and friends. Is it that much different for those that gave through their participation in the flash mob in which you recognized the beauty?

WW

'Stench' was quite harsh. I feel very lost and occasionally refer to the Pavlovian driven autonomics of humans from this lost place. They are lost too, but in mind. Compassion for one who is lost is incomparable.

[turiya]

I feel very lost

At least you are aware of feeling very lost.

And, if you drop your attention from the feeling and place it completely on the awareness, instead... (so that there is only awareness of Awareness)... what happens then? Do you still feel lost?

[NuanceOfSuchness]

I feel very lost

At least you are aware of feeling very lost.

And, if you drop your attention from the feeling and place it completely on the awareness, instead... (so that there is only awareness of Awareness)... what happens then? Do you still feel lost?

The feeling of being lost comes from a deep incompatibility with other people. Several weeks ago I had a temporary awakening which spanned many hours. It's completely shredded my mental concepts of who I thought I had been and the structure of the world around me seems drastically different henceforth. I find consolation in nature. I look at a tree stretching towards its ultimate creator - the mysterious darkness of the cosmos, the totality of consciousness itself - and it gently sways as if joyously waving at other passing lifeforms, inviting them to join in its moment of presence and symphonic rhythm of interconnectedness. Previously it was just a tree. I hardly gave them a second glance.

To answer your question: Yes, I've been firmly planting my attention in amongst my awareness and having glimpses of myself being aware of my being aware which further compounds the peculiarity of everything because that awareness of itself seems limitless and eternal. The feeling of being lost disappears. It's a very odd way in which to remedy my angst but a assume familiarising myself with this approach will bring some kind of normality.

Thank you for recognising my feeling lost.

[Sighclone]

Thanks, WW - great video!
"God is love." - Ramana Maharshi. (Kind of does not matter what your "belief system" is...) And, moreover, if you believe in "no god," that's ok, too. But if you believe in "no love." Well, that's a problem...

Feeling "lost" is very typical after a big, long experience of awakening. I mean, "Jeepers, I am not who I thought I was for my whole life," is a pretty disorienting experience, particularly if it was a very riveting and authentic shift in awareness. It took me several months to re-orient. And then, integration of my "personality" with my new awareness...well, that continues! Meditation, chanting, etc. is useful, even after a big kensho. Ramana chanted his whole life.

Andy

[NuanceOfSuchness]

And then, integration of my "personality" with my new awareness...well, that continues

That's very interesting Andy. I can't really convey this stuff to just anybody. Are you finding that you are choosing new components that make up your personality or is it an integration of your previous personality - alternatively, are you finding a new personality is just emerging as an organic process?

I'm not sure if my mechanistic view of this is helpful but having gone through this yourself you seem much more refined with your experiences in comparison to me.

[turiya]

I look at a tree stretching towards its ultimate creator - the mysterious darkness of the cosmos, the totality of consciousness itself - and it gently sways as if joyously waving at other passing lifeforms, inviting them to join in its moment of presence and symphonic rhythm of interconnectedness. Previously it was just a tree. I hardly gave them a second glance.

Beautifully put.
I enjoyed reading that. Thank you.

[NuanceOfSuchness]

Beautifully put.
I enjoyed reading that. Thank you.

I have a different quality of respect for trees and foliage in general. It's humbling.

[Sighclone]

And then, integration of my "personality" with my new awareness...well, that continues

That's very interesting Andy. I can't really convey this stuff to just anybody. Are you finding that you are choosing new components that make up your personality or is it an integration of your previous personality - alternatively, are you finding a new personality is just emerging as an organic process?

I'm not sure if my mechanistic view of this is helpful but having gone through this yourself you seem much more refined with your experiences in comparison to me.

I can, of course, only speak about myself, but have heard similar comments from others. A personality is formed from various inputs over time (genetics, family, experiences, etc.) At the moment of Awakening, it is what it is. The discovery that you are not your personality is generally shocking. Several teachers say that what remains after awakening is the "body-mind." In my opinion and experience, what remains is the "body-mind-personality." Mooji also addresses this. "Personality" can also be thought of as an epiphenomenon of the body-mind. But everyone has one, that is unique.

Changes to personality occur regardless of spiritual growth. I am not "choosing" anything - yes the changes emerge as an organic process. Gary Weber's big blog is a fascinating place to explore: http://happinessbeyondthought.blogspot.com/

Andy